Methods and apparatuses for conditional handover in wireless communication systems

ABSTRACT

A method performed by a BS for CHO is provided. The method includes transmitting a CHO command to a UE, the CHO command including a CHO command ID and a measurement ID associated with the CHO command ID; causing the UE to execute the CHO command to handover to a target BS when a trigger condition associated with the measurement ID is fulfilled; causing the UE to forgo transmitting the measurement report during the execution of the CHO command despite the UE being configured, via a report configuration associated with the measurement ID, to transmit the measurement report; transmitting, to the UE, a message that causes the UE to remove the CHO command; and after transmitting the message to the UE, determining that the report configuration is removed by the UE without transmitting, to the UE, an instruction to remove the report configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/863,963, filed on Apr. 30, 2020, entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR CONDITIONAL HANDOVER IN WIRELESSCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/842,202, filed on May 2,2019, entitled “Execution and Handling of Conditional Handover Command”and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/842,211, filed onMay 2, 2019, entitled “Collision and Failure Handling of ConditionalHandover Command Execution.” The contents of all of the above-namedapplications are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communications, andmore particularly, to methods and apparatuses for Conditional Handover(CHO) in a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

With the tremendous growth in the number of connected devices and therapid increase in user/network traffic volume, various efforts have beenmade to improve different aspects of wireless communication for the nextgeneration wireless communication system, such as the fifth generation(5G) New Radio (NR), by improving data rate, latency, reliability andmobility.

The 5G NR system is designed to provide flexibility and configurabilityto optimize the network services and types, accommodating various usecases such as enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine-TypeCommunication (mMTC), and Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication(URLLC).

However, as the demand for radio access continues to increase, thereexists a need for further improvements in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses of CHO ina wireless communication system.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofwireless communication is provided. The method includes a User Equipment(UE) receiving a CHO command from a source base station (BS). The CHOcommand includes a CHO command identity (ID) and a measurement IDassociated with the CHO command ID. The method further includes the UEexecuting the CHO command to handover the UE to a target BS when atrigger condition associated with the measurement ID is fulfilled.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a UE isprovided. The UE includes one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon and atleast one processor coupled to the one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media. The at least one processor is configured toexecute the computer-executable instructions to receive a CHO commandfrom a source BS. The CHO command includes a CHO command ID and ameasurement ID associated with the CHO command ID. The at least oneprocessor is further configured to execute the computer-executableinstructions to execute the CHO command to handover the UE to a targetBS when a trigger condition associated with the measurement ID isfulfilled.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for aBase Station (BS) for performing a Conditional Handover (CHO) procedureis provided. The method includes transmitting a CHO command to a UserEquipment (UE), the CHO command including a CHO command identity (ID)and a measurement ID associated with the CHO command ID; causing the UEto execute the CHO command to handover to a target BS when a triggercondition associated with the measurement ID is fulfilled; causing theUE to forgo transmitting the measurement report during the execution ofthe CHO command despite the UE being configured, via a reportconfiguration associated with the measurement ID, to transmit themeasurement report; transmitting, to the UE, a message that causes theUE to remove the CHO command; and after transmitting the message to theUE, determining that the report configuration is removed by the UEwithout transmitting, to the UE, an instruction to remove the reportconfiguration.

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the message is included in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the method further includes transmitting a cell-level Reference Signal(RS) or a beam-level RS to the UE to let the UE to determine whether thetrigger condition is fulfilled.

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the cell-level RS includes a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and thebeam-level RS includes a Channel State Information-Reference Signal(CSI-RS).

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the method further includes receiving CHO failure information in aMinimization of Drive Tests (MDT) report from the UE in a case that theexecution of the CHO command fails.

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the CHO failure information in the MDT report includes at least one of:an ID of a failed CHO command, a configuration related to the failed CHOcommand, a cause value indicating a CHO failure event, an ID of a failedtarget cell, an ID of a failed target BS, or a latest measurementresult.

In some implementations of the third aspect of the present disclosure,the method further includes performing a Radio Resource Control (RRC)re-establishment procedure with the UE; and determining that all CHOcommands stored at the UE are removed by the UE when performing the RRCre-establishment procedure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a Base Station(BS) for performing a Conditional Handover (CHO) procedure is provided.The BS includes transmission and reception circuitry and at least oneprocessor coupled to the transmission and reception circuitry. The atleast one processor is configured to transmit, by the transmission andreception circuitry, a CHO command to a User Equipment (UE), the CHOcommand including a CHO command identity (ID) and a measurement IDassociated with the CHO command ID; cause the UE to execute the CHOcommand to handover to a target BS when a trigger condition associatedwith the measurement ID is fulfilled; cause the UE to forgo transmittingthe measurement report during the execution of the CHO command despitethe UE being configured, via a report configuration associated with themeasurement ID, to transmit the measurement report; transmit, by thetransmission and reception circuitry, to the UE, a message that causesthe UE to remove the CHO command; and after transmitting the message tothe UE, determine that the report configuration is removed by the UEwithout transmitting, to the UE, an instruction to remove the reportconfiguration to the UE.

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the message is included in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the at least one processor is further configured to transmit, by thetransmission and reception circuitry, a cell-level Reference Signal (RS)or a beam-level RS to the UE to let the UE to determine whether thetrigger condition is fulfilled.

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the cell-level RS includes a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and thebeam-level RS includes a Channel State Information-Reference Signal(CSI-RS).

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the at least one processor is further configured to receive, by thetransmission and reception circuitry, CHO failure information in aMinimization of Drive Tests (MDT) report from the UE in a case that theexecution of the CHO command fails.

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the CHO failure information in the MDT report includes at least one ofan ID of a failed CHO command, a configuration related to the failed CHOcommand, a cause value indicating a CHO failure event, an ID of a failedtarget cell, an ID of a failed target BS, or a latest measurementresult.

In some implementations of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,the at least one processor is further configured to perform a RadioResource Control (RRC) re-establishment procedure with the UE; anddetermine that all CHO commands stored at the UE are removed by the UEwhen performing the RRC re-establishment procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. Variousfeatures are not drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features may bearbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a CHO procedure, according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a CHO procedure, according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a node for wirelesscommunication, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toexample implementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in thepresent disclosure and their accompanying detailed descriptions aredirected to merely example implementations. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited to merely these example implementations. Othervariations and implementations of the present disclosure will occur tothose skilled in the art. Unless noted otherwise, like or correspondingelements among the figures may be indicated by like or correspondingreference numerals. Moreover, the drawings and illustrations in thepresent disclosure are generally not to scale and are not intended tocorrespond to actual relative dimensions.

For the purposes of consistency and ease of understanding, like featuresmay be identified (although, in some examples, not shown) by the samenumerals in the example figures. However, the features in differentimplementations may be different in other respects, and thus shall notbe narrowly confined to what is shown in the figures.

The description uses the phrases “in one implementation,” or “in someimplementations,” which may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent implementations. The term “coupled” is defined as connected,whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and isnot necessarily limited to physical connections. The term “comprising,”when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; itspecifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in theso-described combination, group, series, and the equivalent. Theexpression “at least one of A, B and C” or “at least one of thefollowing: A, B and C” means “only A, or only B, or only C, or anycombination of A, B and C.”

Additionally, for the purposes of explanation and non-limitation,specific details, such as functional entities, techniques, protocols,standard, and the like are set forth for providing an understanding ofthe described technology. In other examples, detailed description ofwell-known methods, technologies, systems, architectures, and the likeare omitted so as not to obscure the description with unnecessarydetails.

Persons skilled in the art will immediately recognize that any networkfunction(s) or algorithm(s) described in the present disclosure may beimplemented by hardware, software, or a combination of software andhardware. Described functions may correspond to modules which may besoftware, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. The softwareimplementation may comprise computer executable instructions stored oncomputer readable media, such as memory or other type of storagedevices. For example, one or more microprocessors or general-purposecomputers with communication processing capability may be programmedwith corresponding executable instructions and carry out the describednetwork function(s) or algorithm(s). The microprocessors orgeneral-purpose computers may be formed of Applications SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, and/or using oneor more Digital Signal Processor (DSPs). Although some of the exampleimplementations described in this specification are oriented to softwareinstalled and executing on computer hardware, nevertheless, alternativeexample implementations implemented as firmware or as hardware orcombination of hardware and software are well within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The computer readable medium includes but is not limited to RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM), flash memory, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM),magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or any otherequivalent medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions.

A radio communication network architecture (e.g., a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, an LTE-Advanced Prosystem, or a 5G NR Radio Access Network (RAN)) typically includes atleast one BS, at least one User Equipment (UE), and one or more optionalnetwork elements that provide connection towards a network. The UEcommunicates with the network (e.g., a Core Network (CN), an EvolvedPacket Core (EPC) network, an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork (E-UTRAN), a 5G Core (5GC), or an internet) through a RANestablished by one or more BSs.

It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, a UE may include,but is not limited to, a mobile station, a mobile terminal or device, auser communication radio terminal. For example, a UE may be a portableradio equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone,a tablet, a wearable device, a sensor, a vehicle, or a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) with wireless communication capability. The UE isconfigured to receive and transmit signals over an air interface to oneor more cells in a radio access network.

A BS may be configured to provide communication services according to atleast one of the following Radio Access Technologies (RATs): WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM, often referred to as 2G), GSM Enhanced Data ratesfor GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN), General PacketRadio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS,often referred to as 3G) based on basic Wideband-Code Division MultipleAccess (W-CDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), LTE, LTE-A, eLTE(evolved LTE, e.g., LTE connected to 5GC), NR (often referred to as 5G),and/or LTE-A Pro. However, the scope of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited to the above-mentioned protocols.

A BS may include, but is not limited to, a node B (NB) as in the UNITS,an evolved Node B (eNB) as in the LTE or LTE-A, a Radio NetworkController (RNC) as in the UNITS, a Base Station Controller (BSC) as inthe GSM/GERAN, a ng-eNB as in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess (E-UTRA) BS in connection with the 5GC, a next generation Node B(gNB) as in the 5G-RAN, and any other apparatus capable of controllingradio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The BSmay serve one or more UEs through a radio interface.

The BS may be operable to provide radio coverage to a specificgeographical area using a plurality of cells included in the RAN. The BSsupports the operations of the cells. Each cell may be operable toprovide services to at least one UE within its radio coverage. Morespecifically, each cell (often referred to as a serving cell) mayprovide services to serve one or more UEs within its radio coverage(e.g., each cell schedules the downlink and optionally uplink resourcesto at least one UE within its radio coverage for downlink and optionallyuplink packet transmissions). The BS can communicate with one or moreUEs in the radio communication system through the plurality of cells. Acell may allocate Sidelink (SL) resources for supporting ProximityService (ProSe) or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) service. Each cell mayhave overlapped coverage areas with other cells.

As discussed above, the frame structure for NR is to support flexibleconfigurations for accommodating various next generation (e.g., 5G)communication requirements, such as eMBB, mMTC, URLLC, while fulfillinghigh reliability, high data rate and low latency requirements. TheOrthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology as agreedin the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) may serve as abaseline for NR waveform. The scalable OFDM numerology, such as theadaptive sub-carrier spacing, the channel bandwidth, and the CyclicPrefix (CP) may also be used. Additionally, two coding schemes areconsidered for NR: (1) Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) code and (2)Polar Code. The coding scheme adaption may be configured based on thechannel conditions and/or the service applications.

Moreover, it is also considered that in a transmission time interval ofa single NR frame, a Downlink (DL) transmission data, a guard period,and an Uplink (UL) transmission data should at least be included, wherethe respective portions of the DL transmission data, the guard period,the UL transmission data should also be configurable, for example, basedon the network dynamics of NR. In addition, SL resources may also beprovided in an NR frame to support ProSe services or V2X services.

In addition, the terms “system” and “network” herein may be usedinterchangeably. The term “and/or” herein is only an associationrelationship for describing associated objects, and represents thatthree relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may indicatethat: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, or B exists alone.In addition, the character “/” herein generally represents that theformer and latter associated objects are in an “or” relationship.

In a wireless communication network, such as an E-UTRAN, one of the maincauses of handover failure is that a UE does not receive a HandoverCommand message from a source BS (e.g., a source eNB/gNB) or a servingBS (e.g., a serving eNB/gNB). A conventional handover procedure may betriggered by a measurement report from the UE. For example, if theserving cell's quality (e.g., signal strength and/or service quality) isbelow a preconfigured threshold while the neighboring cell's quality(e.g., signal strength and/or service quality) is above a preconfiguredthreshold, the UE may send a measurement report to the source BS basedon the received measurement configurations. Upon receiving themeasurement report, the source BS may send a Handover Request message tomultiple target BSs for admission control and receive HandoverAcknowledgement messages from the target BSs. The source BS may selectand send a Handover Command message (e.g., a Radio Resource Control(RRC) Reconfiguration message) containing the target cellconfiguration(s) that is embedded in a Handover Acknowledgement messagefrom one of the target BSs to the UE so that the UE can connect to thetarget cell.

The success of a handover procedure depends on several factors. One ofthe factors is that the serving cell quality does not drop rapidlywithin a short period of time, which may be dominated by the latency ofthe backhaul (e.g., for X2/Xn/Xx interface), the processing time oftarget BSs, and the signaling transmission time. Unfortunately, in areal-world situation, the serving cell quality may drop very quicklywithin a short period of time, and the UE may not successfully receivethe Handover Command message before the serving cell quality dropssignificantly. As a result, the UE may detect a radio link failure.Consequently, in response to detecting the radio link failure, the UEmay initiate an RRC Connection Re-establishment procedure, which in turnleads to a considerable amount of service interruption time. In awireless communication system (e.g., a 5G NR system) applying massiveantenna beamforming technology in high-frequency bands, a serving cellquality may degrade even faster, especially when narrow beams are usedto serve the UE. Also, blockage is another issue in NR deployments.

The CHO technology is introduced to improve the reliability of thehandover procedure. The CHO procedure may be considered as asupplementary procedure to a conventional handover procedure to helpreduce the handover failure rate.

In one implementation, to execute a CHO command, a UE may startevaluating the trigger condition(s) associated with the CHO command todetermine whether the trigger condition(s) for the CHO command isfulfilled. If the UE determines that a trigger condition is fulfilled,the UE may apply/execute the corresponding CHO command to connect to atarget cell (or initiate the execution of the corresponding CHO commandto connect to a target cell).

Certain measurement events (e.g., A3 and A5 events) may be used fordetermining whether a trigger condition of a CHO command is fulfilled.However, detailed procedures for linking a trigger condition of a CHOcommand with a measurement event are still not defined. On the otherhand, measurement events may be used for determining whether a leavingcondition of a CHO command is fulfilled. If the leaving condition isfulfilled, the UE may remove (or release) the corresponding CHO commandaccordingly. Moreover, a CHO command or a measurement configuration maybe modified or released based on Network (NW)command(s)/configuration(s) or UE autonomous behavior. Keeping a correctlinking of a CHO command and the corresponding measurement configurationis required to avoid error UE behavior. To this end, methods of CHO areprovided in various implementations of the present disclosure.

In LTE or NR, a UE may apply system information acquisition and changemonitoring procedures for the Primary Cell (PCell). System informationmay change for certain reasons, but the change of system information mayoccur at specific radio frames, e.g., a modification period. Systeminformation may be transmitted a number of times with the same contentwithin the modification period, as defined by its correspondingscheduling scheme.

In some implementations, a CHO command may include at least one of thefollowing: a trigger condition, a leaving condition, a target cell ID, acarrier frequency (e.g., NR-Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number(ARFCN)) of the target cell, a lifetime of the CHO, a handover priority(e.g., handover priority, or CHO command priority), a CHO command ID (or“CHO configuration ID”), a dedicated Random Access Channel (RACH)configuration(s), and a common RACH configuration(s) (e.g., foroptionally providing resources for a contention-free random access).

In some implementations, the CHO command may include the informationthat indicates to a UE to CHO to another Radio Access Technology (RAT).In some implementations, the CHO command may include the informationthat indicates the target RAT type (e.g., targetRAT-Type). In someimplementations, the CHO command may include a container that contains atarget cell configuration (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message that isspecified in another standard, as indicated by the target RAT type) tocarry information about the target cell identifier(s), or the radioparameters relevant to the target RAT. In some implementations, the CHOcommand may include the information for delivering the keysynchronization and key freshness to handover to another RAT. In someimplementations, the CHO command may include a security algorithmconfiguration (or the related information). For example, the securityalgorithm configuration may be used in at least one of a CHO processbetween cells within E-UTRA/5GC, a handover process to E-UTRA/5GC (e.g.,handover from NR to E-UTRA/5GC, handover from E-UTRA/EPC to E-UTRA/5GC),a handover process from NR to E-UTRA/EPC, and a handover process fromE-UTRA/5GC to E-UTRA/EPC.

In some implementations, the measurement configuration InformationElement (IE) (e.g., MeasConfig in the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS)38.331) received by the UE may include at least one of the following: alist of measurement objects to be removed (e.g.,MeasObjectToRemoveList), a list of measurement objects to be addedand/or modified (e.g., IE MeasObjectToAddModList), a list of measurementreport configurations to be removed (e.g., ReportConfigToRemoveList), alist of measurement report configurations to be added and/or modified(e.g., IE ReportConfigToAddModList), a list of measurement IDs to beremoved (e.g., MeasldToRemoveList), and a list of measurement IDs to beadded and/or modified (e.g., IE MeasldToAddModList).

The IE MeasConfig may specify the measurements to be performed by theUE, which may cover at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency,and inter-RAT mobility. The IE MeasConfig may further include theconfiguration of measurement gaps. An example Text Proposal (TP) of themeasurement configuration (e.g., IE MeasConfig) is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASCONFIG-START MeasConfig ::= SEQUENCE { measObjectToRemoveList    MeasObjectToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measObjectToAddModList    MeasObjectToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N reportConfigToRemoveList    ReportConfigToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- NeedN  reportConfigToAddModList    ReportConfigToAddModList OPTIONAL, --Need N  measIdToRemoveList   MeasIdToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measIdToAddModList    MeasIdToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N s-MeasureConfig   CHOICE {   ssb-RSRP   RSRP-Range,   csi-RSRP  RSRP-Range  } OPTIONAL, -- Need M  quantityConfig  QuantityConfigOPTIONAL, -- Need M  measGapConfig   MeasGapConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need M measGapSharingConfig    MeasGapSharingConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need M  ... } MeasObjectToRemoveList ::=     SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofObjectId)) OFMeasObjectId  MeasIdToRemoveList ::=    SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..maxNrofMeasId)) OF MeasId  ReportConfigToRemoveList ::=     SEQUENCE(SIZE (1..maxReportConfigId)) OF ReportConfigId -- TAG-MEASCONFIG-STOP

In some implementations, the measurement object (or the correspondingmeasurement object configuration) indicated in the measurementconfiguration may be associated with a measurement object ID (e.g.,MeasObjectId). An example TP of the list of measurement objects to beadded and/or modified (e.g., IE MeasObjectToAddModList) is shown inTable 2.

TABLE 2 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASOBJECTTOADDMODLIST-STARTMeasObjectToAddModList ::=    SEQUENCE (SIZE    (1..maxNrofObjectId))   OF MeasObjectToAddMod MeasObjectToAddMod ::=   SEQUENCE { measObjectId  MeasObjectId,  measObject CHOICE {   measObjectNR    MeasObjectNR,   ... ,   measObjectEUTRA      MeasObjectEUTRA  } } --TAG-MEASOBJECTTOADDMODLIST-STOP -- ASN1STOP

In some implementations, a (measurement) report configuration may beassociated with a report configuration ID (e.g., ReportConfigId). Anexample TP of the list of report configurations to added or modified(e.g., IE ReportConfigToAddModList) is shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 -- ASN1START -- TAG-REPORTCONFIGTOADDMODLIST-STARTReportConfigToAddModList ::=    SEQUENCE (SIZE   (1..maxReportConfigId))    OF ReportConfigToAddModReportConfigToAddMod ::=   SEQUENCE {  reportConfigId  ReportConfigId, reportConfig CHOICE {   reportConfigNR     ReportConfigNR,   ...,  reportConfigInterRAT      ReportConfigInterRAT  } } -- TAG-REPORTCON

In some implementations, a measurement ID (e.g., MeasId) may be used tolink a measurement object to a report configuration. For example, eachmeasurement ID may be associated with a measurement object ID (e.g.,MeasObjectId) and a report configuration ID (e.g., ReportConfigId). Anexample TP of the IE MeasldToAddModList including the measurement ID isshown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-START MeasIdToAddModList::=   SEQUENCE (SIZE   (1..maxNrofMeasId))   OF MeasIdToAddModMeasIdToAddMod ::=  SEQUENCE {  measId MeasId,  measObjectId MeasObjectId,  reportConfigId  ReportConfigId } --TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-STOP -- ASN1STOP

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be associated with ameasurement ID and/or a measurement object ID. In some implementations,a CHO command ID may be associated with more than one measurement ID.

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be included in ameasurement object (or the corresponding measurement objectconfiguration).

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be included in a list ofmeasurement IDs to be added and/or modified. For example, if ameasurement ID is to be added and/or modified, the CHO command IDassociated with the measurement ID may be present together with themeasurement ID in the list to indicate to the UE the association betweenthe measurement ID and the CHO command ID.

In some implementations, one or more measurement IDs may be included ina CHO command. It is noted that the term “CHO command” may be replacedby another term “CHO command configuration” or “conditionalreconfiguration IE.” That is, the term “CHO command,” the term “CHOcommand configuration” and the term “conditional reconfiguration IE” maybe exchangeable in some implementations of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, a measurement object (or the correspondingmeasurement object ID) may be included in a CHO command (or thecorresponding CHO command configuration).

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be associated with a(measurement) report configuration ID.

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be included in a(measurement) report configuration.

In some implementations, a (measurement) report configuration (or thecorresponding report configuration ID) may be included in a CHO command(or the corresponding CHO command configuration).

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are diagrams illustrating a CHO procedure, accordingto an implementation of the present disclosure. It should be noted thatalthough the source and target BSs in FIGS. 1A and 1B and the followingfigures are shown, and described, as gNBs, the source and target BSs maybe any combination of other types of BSs in some of the presentimplementations. For example, any of the source and/or target BSs may bean eNB in some of the present implementations. That is, in some of thepresent implementations, source BS 13 may be an eNB, while target BS 15(and/or other potential BS(s) 15′) may be a gNB (or an eNB). Conversely,source BS 13 may be a gNB, while target BS 15 (and/or other potentialBS(s) 15′) may be an eNB (or a gNB).

As shown in FIG. 1A, in action 102, the UE context within source BS 13may contain information (e.g., the mobility control information providedby Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) 17) regarding roamingand access restrictions which are provided either at connectionestablishment or at the last Tracking Area (TA) update.

In action 104, source BS 13 may configure UE 11 measurement proceduresand UE 11 may report according to the measurement configuration.

In action 106, source BS 13 may decide to use CHO.

In actions 108 and 108′, source BS 13 may transmit a handover requestmessage (e.g., the HANDOVER REQUEST message) to one or more candidatetarget BSs (e.g., target BS 15 and/or other potential target BS(s) 15′).

In actions 110 and 110′, admission control may be performed by thecandidate target BS(s) (e.g., target BS 15 and/or other potential targetBS(s) 15′). Slice-aware admission control may be performed if the sliceinformation is sent to the candidate target BS(s). If the Protocol DataUnit (PDU) sessions are associated with non-supported slices, thecandidate target BS(s) may reject such PDU sessions.

In actions 112 and 112′, the candidate target BS(s) (e.g., target BS 15and/or other potential target BS(s) 15′) may send a handover requestacknowledge message (e.g., the HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message)including the configuration of the CHO candidate cell(s) to source BS13.

Proceeding to FIG. 1B, in action 114, source BS 13 may send an RRCreconfiguration message (e.g., the RRCReconfiguration message) to UE 11.The RRC reconfiguration message may contain the configuration of the CHOcandidate cell(s) and CHO execution condition(s) (or CHO triggercondition(s)).

In action 116, UE 11 may send an RRC reconfiguration complete message(e.g., the RRCReconfigurationComplete message) to source BS 13.

In action 118, UE 11 may maintain connection with source BS 13 afterreceiving the CHO configuration, and start evaluating the CHO executionconditions (or the CHO trigger conditions) for the candidate cell(s). Inactions 120 and 122, if at least one CHO candidate cell satisfies thecorresponding CHO execution condition (or the corresponding CHO triggercondition), UE 11 may detach from source BS 13, apply the storedcorresponding configuration for that new cell (e.g., the selectedcandidate cell), and synchronize to that candidate cell and complete theRRC handover procedure (or CHO procedure) by sending an RRCreconfiguration complete message (e.g., the RRCReconfigurationCompletemessage) to the target BS (e.g., one of target BS 15 and other potentialtarget BS(s) 15′). UE 11 may release the stored CHO configurations afterthe successful completion of the RRC handover procedure. Note that a CHOconfiguration may be configured with one or two trigger conditions.

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be associated with ameasurement ID. In some implementations, the target cell(s) of the CHOcommand may be listed in or indicated by the associated measurementobject (or the corresponding measurement object configuration). Forexample, the target cell(s) indicated by the CHO command may be includedin, but not limited to, the cell list (e.g., included in the IEcellsToAddModList) of the measurement object configuration.

In some implementations, the CHO command ID (e.g., the IE choCommandId)may be included in the list of measurement IDs to be added and/ormodified (e.g., the IE MeasldToAddModList). As shown in Table 5, if ameasurement ID is to be added and/or modified, the associated CHOcommand ID together with this measurement ID (e.g., the MeasId) may bepresent in the IE MeasldToAddModList to indicate the link between themeasurement ID and the CHO command ID. In some implementations, the CHOcommand ID may be set to a default value if the measurement ID is notassociated with a CHO command (or the corresponding CHO command ID). Itis noted that the naming of each IE described herein may vary in some ofthe present implementations. For example, the IE choCommandId may bereplaced by another IE named “CondConfigID” that can also be used toindicate or represent a CHO command ID.

TABLE 5 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-START MeasIdToAddModList::=   SEQUENCE (SIZE   (1..maxNrofMeasId))   OF MeasIdToAddModMeasIdToAddMod ::=  SEQUENCE {  measId MeasId,  choCommandId ChoCommandId,  measObjectId MeasObjectId,  reportConfigIdReportConfigId } -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-STOP -- ASN1STOP

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2, in action 202, a UE may receive a CHO command (or acorresponding CHO command configuration, or a conditionalreconfiguration IE) from a source BS. The CHO command (or thecorresponding CHO command configuration, or the conditionalreconfiguration IE) may include a CHO command ID and a measurement IDassociated with the CHO command ID. Note that the association betweenthe CHO command ID and the measurement ID may be based on any type ofdata linkage. For example, the CHO command ID (e.g., the IEchoCommandId) and the associated measurement ID (e.g., the MeasId) maybe included in the same IE (e.g., the IE MeasIdToAddMod as shown inTable 5) and/or included in the same addition/modification list of a CHOcommand (or the corresponding CHO command configuration, or theconditional reconfiguration IE).

In some implementations, a CHO command (or the corresponding CHO commandconfiguration, or the conditional reconfiguration IE) may include a CHOcommand ID and more than one measurement ID associated with the CHOcommand ID.

In action 204, the UE may determine whether a trigger conditionassociated with the measurement ID is fulfilled. In someimplementations, the trigger condition associated with the measurementID may be a trigger condition that is configured/indicated in a reportconfiguration that is associated with the measurement ID. For example,the UE may determine whether the trigger condition is fulfilledaccording to a measurement result obtained by measuring a cell-levelReference Signal (RS) or a beam-level RS. In some implementations, thecell-level RS may be an SSB and the beam-level RS may be a CSI-RS.

In some implementations, if more than one measurement ID is associatedwith the CHO command ID, the UE may determine whether all the triggerconditions associated with all the measurement ID are fulfilled.

In action 206, the UE may execute the CHO command (or initiate theexecution of the CHO command) to handover to a target BS (e.g.,indicated by the CHO command) when the trigger condition associated withthe measurement ID is fulfilled. In some implementations, the UE mayexecute the CHO command (or initiate the execution of the CHO command)without reporting a measurement report (or measurement results)according to a report configuration associated with the measurement ID.For example, the UE may not report any measurement report to the BS whenexecuting the CHO command, even if the UE has been configured with areport configuration associated with the measurement ID in the CHOcommand (or the corresponding CHO command configuration, or theconditional reconfiguration IE). Note that the association between themeasurement ID and the report configuration may be based on any type ofdata linkage. For example, as shown in Tables 3 and 4 (or Tables 3 and5), the report configuration (e.g., the IE reportConfig) may beassociated with a report configuration ID (e.g., the reportConfigId)that is associated with a measurement ID (e.g., the measId) in the IEMeasIdToAddMod. In some implementations, the UE may execute the CHOcommand (or initiate the execution of the CHO command) to handover to atarget BS (e.g., indicated by the CHO command) when the triggerconditions associated with all measurement IDs are fulfilled.

In some implementations, as shown in Table 6, a measurementconfiguration (e.g., the IE MeasConfig) may include at least one of alist of CHO objects to be added and/or modified (e.g., the IEchoObjectToAddModList) and a list of CHO objects to be removed (e.g.,the IE choObjectToRemoveList). A CHO object may be removed if the CHOobject ID corresponding to this CHO object is present in the list of CHOobjects to be removed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

TABLE 6 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASCONFIG-START MeasConfig ::= SEQUENCE { choObjectToRemoveList   ChoObjectToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N choObjectToAddModList   ChoObjectToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measObjectToRemoveList  MeasObjectToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measObjectToAddModList   MeasObjectToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N reportConfigToRemoveList  ReportConfigToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N reportConfigToAddModList  ReportConfigToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measIdToRemoveList    MeasIdToRemoveList OPTIONAL, -- Need N measIdToAddModList   MeasIdToAddModList OPTIONAL, -- Need N s-MeasureConfig  CHOICE {   ssb-RSRP   RSRP-Range,   csi-RSRP  RSRP-Range  } OPTIONAL, -- Need M  quantityConfig QuantityConfigOPTIONAL, -- Need M  measGapConfig  MeasGapConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need M measGapSharingConfig   MeasGapSharingConfig    OPTIONAL, -- Need M  ...} MeasObjectToRemoveList ::=   SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofObjectId)) OFMeasObjectId MeasIdToRemoveList ::=   SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofMeasId))OF MeasId ReportConfigToRemoveList ::=   SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..maxReportConfigId)) OF   ReportConfigId -- TAG-MEASCONFIG-STOP

As shown in FIG. 3, in action 302, a UE may receive a CHO removal list(e.g., the list of CHO objects to be removed from the UE, or IEchoObjectToRemoveList) from the BS (e.g., the source BS). In someimplementations, the CHO removal list may be included in an RRC messagefrom the source BS.

In action 304, the UE may remove a CHO command at the UE when the CHOcommand ID of the CHO command is indicated by the CHO removal list.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

In action 402, a UE may remove a CHO command at the UE. The CHO commandmay include a CHO command ID and a measurement ID associated with theCHO command ID.

In action 404, if the UE has been previously configured with a reportconfiguration associated with the measurement ID by the BS, the UE mayremove the report configuration at the UE when the CHO command isremoved.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

In action 502, a UE may perform an RRC re-establishment procedure.

In action 504, the UE may remove all stored CHO commands at the UE whenthe UE performs the RRC re-establishment procedure.

In some implementations, a CHO object (or a CHO object ID) may be usedto link a measurement ID to a CHO command ID. An example TP of a CHOobject configuration is shown in Table 7. The IE maxNrofChoObject may bereferred to the maximum number of CHO objects that are allowed to beincluded in the list of CHO objects to be added and/or modified (e.g.,the IE choObjectToAddModList).

TABLE 7 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-STARTChoObjectToAddModList ::=    SEQUENCE (SIZE    (1..maxNrofChoObject)) OFChoObjectToAddMod ChoObjectToAddMod ::=    SEQUENCE {  choobjectId ChoObjectID,  measId MeasId,  chocommandId   ChoCommandId } --TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-STOP -- ASN1STOP

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID included in the measurement configuration is associatedwith the measurement ID, the UE may execute the CHO command (e.g.,indicated by the CHO command ID), but may not report the measurementresults to the BS. In some other implementations, the UE may reportmeasurement results to the BS if the UE executes the CHO command. Insome other implementations, if the UE executes the CHO command, the UEmay determine whether to report the measurement results to the BS basedon NW instructions or configurations. In some implementations, areporting indicator may be used to indicate to the UE whether themeasurement results are needed to be reported when the measurementreporting procedure is triggered (or when the trigger condition of areport configuration is fulfilled) and results in the execution/releaseof the CHO command. The reporting indicator may be included in themeasurement configuration, the associated (measurement) reportconfiguration, or the associated measurement object configuration.

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID included in the measurement configuration is associatedwith the measurement ID, the UE may report measurement results to theBS, and may not execute the CHO command. In some other implementations,if the UE reports the measurement results to the BS, the UE may executethe CHO command. In some other implementations, if the UE reports themeasurement results to the BS, the UE may determine whether to executethe CHO command based on the NW instructions or configurations. Forexample, a CHO execution indicator may be included in an RRC message(e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) to indicate to the UE whether theCHO command needs to be executed.

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID included in the measurement configuration is associatedwith the measurement ID, the UE may remove the CHO command, and may notreport the measurement results to the BS. In some other implementations,the UE may report the measurement results to the BS if the UE releasesthe CHO command. In some other implementations, if the UE releases theCHO command, the UE may determine whether to report the measurementresults to the BS based on the NW instructions or configurations (e.g.,based on whether the IE reportOnLeave is set or not). In someimplementations, after removing a CHO command, the UE may notify the NWthat the CHO command has been removed (e.g., by reporting the CHOcommand ID of the released CHO command to the NW).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID included in the measurement configuration is associatedwith the measurement ID, the UE may report the measurement results tothe BS and may not remove the CHO command. In some otherimplementations, the UE may remove the CHO command if the UE reports themeasurement results to the BS. In some other implementations, if the UEreports the measurement results to the BS, the UE may determine whetherto remove the CHO command based on the NW instructions orconfigurations. For example, a CHO remove indicator may be included inan RRC message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) to indicate to the UEwhether the CHO command needs to be removed.

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if themeasurement ID is included in a CHO command, the UE may execute the CHOcommand (or initiate the execution of the CHO command), and may notreport the measurement results to the BS. In some implementations, whenall trigger conditions associated with all associated measurement IDsare fulfilled, and if all the associated measurement IDs are included ina CHO command, the UE may execute the CHO command (or initiate theexecution of the CHO command), and may not report the measurementresults to the BS. The one or more measurement IDs included in the CHOcommand may be associated with the CHO command ID of the CHO command. Insome other implementations, the UE may report the measurement results tothe BS if the UE executes the CHO command. In some otherimplementations, the UE may determine whether to report the measurementresults to the BS based on the NW instructions or configurations (e.g.,based on a reporting indicator).

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if themeasurement ID is included in a CHO command, the UE may report themeasurement results to the BS and may not execute the CHO command. Insome other implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results tothe BS, the UE may also execute the CHO command based on the NWinstructions or configurations (e.g., based on the CHO executionindicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if themeasurement ID is included in a CHO command, the UE may release the CHOcommand, and may not report the measurement results to the BS. In someother implementations, if the UE releases the CHO command, the UE mayreport the measurement results to the BS. In some other implementations,if the UE releases the CHO command, the UE may determine whether toreport the corresponding measurement results based on the NWinstructions or configurations (e.g., based on whether the IEreportOnLeave is set or not, and/or based on the reporting indicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if themeasurement ID is included in a CHO command, the UE may report themeasurement results to the BS and may not release the CHO command. Insome other implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results tothe BS, the UE may release the CHO command. In some otherimplementations, if the UE reports the measurement results to the BS,the UE may determine whether to release the CHO command based on the NWinstructions or configurations (e.g., based on the CHO releaseindicator).

In some implementations, a CHO command ID may be included in ameasurement object (or the corresponding measurement objectconfiguration). The measurement object may belong to NR or EUTRA. Insome implementations, a CHO command ID may be included in a(measurement) report configuration. The report configuration may belongto NR or EUTRA and specify the trigger condition of an NR measurementreporting event. Different measurement events may be included in areport configuration. For example, these measurement events may includeevents A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 as listed below. For example, thesemeasurement events may include B1 and B2 as listed below. Themeasurement reporting events may be determined based on the cellmeasurement results. Examples of the definitions of the measurementevents are listed below:

-   -   Event A1: Serving becomes better than absolute threshold;    -   Event A2: Serving becomes worse than absolute threshold;    -   Event A3: Neighbor becomes amount of offset better than Primary        Cell (PCell)/Primary Second Cell (PSCell);    -   Event A4: Neighbor becomes better than absolute threshold;    -   Event A5: PCell/PSCell becomes worse than absolute threshold1        AND neighbor/Secondary Cell (SCell) becomes better than another        absolute threshold2;    -   Event A6: Neighbor becomes amount of offset better than SCell.    -   Event B1: Inter RAT neighbor becomes better than threshold;    -   Event B2: PCell becomes worse than threshold1 and inter RAT        neighbor becomes better than threshold2.

An example TP of an NR report configuration including a CHO command IDis shown in Table 8. In another example, the CHO command ID may beincluded in an event trigger configuration.

TABLE 8 ReportConfigNR ::=   SEQUENCE {  reportType   CHOICE { periodical   PeriodicalReportConfig,  eventTriggered  EventTriggerConfig,  ...,  reportCGI   ReportCGI  } } ReportCGI ::=SEQUENCE {  cellForWhichToReportCGI   PhysCellId,  ... }EventTriggerConfig::=   SEQUENCE {  eventId   CHOICE {  eventA1  SEQUENCE {   a1-Threshold    MeasTriggerQuantity,   reportOnLeave    BOOLEAN,   hysteresis    Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger    TimeToTrigger  },  eventA2   SEQUENCE {   a2-Threshold   MeasTriggerQuantity,   reportOnLeave     BOOLEAN,   hysteresis   Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger     TimeToTrigger  },  eventA3   SEQUENCE{   a3-Offset    MeasTriggerQuantityOffset,   reportOnLeave     BOOLEAN,  hysteresis    Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger     TimeToTrigger,  useWhiteCellList    BOOLEAN  },  eventA4   SEQUENCE {   a4-Threshold   MeasTriggerQuantity,   reportOnLeave     BOOLEAN,   hysteresis   Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger     TimeToTrigger,   useWhiteCellList   BOOLEAN  },  eventA5   SEQUENCE {   a5-Threshold1    MeasTriggerQuantity,   a5-Threshold2     MeasTriggerQuantity,  reportOnLeave     BOOLEAN,   hysteresis    Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger    TimeToTrigger,   useWhiteCellList    BOOLEAN  },  eventA6   SEQUENCE{   a6-Offset    MeasTriggerQuantityOffset,   reportOnLeave     BOOLEAN,  hysteresis    Hysteresis,   timeToTrigger     TimeToTrigger,  useWhiteCellList    BOOLEAN  },  ...  },   chocommandId  ChoCommandIdOPTIONAL,  rsType   NR-RS-Type,  reportInterval   ReportInterval, reportAmount   ENUMERATED {r1, r2, r4, r8, r16, r32, r64, infinity}, reportQuantityCell    MeasReportQuantity,  maxReportCells    INTEGER(1..maxCellReport),  reportQuantityRS-Indexes    MeasReportQuantity OPTIONAL, -- Need R  maxNrofRS-IndexesToReport   INTEGER(1..maxNrofIndexesToReport)   OPTIONAL, -- Need R includeBeamMeasurements     BOOLEAN,  reportAddNeighMeas    ENUMERATED{setup}  OPTIONAL, -- Need R  ... } PeriodicalReportConfig ::=   SEQUENCE {  rsType   NR-RS-Type,  reportInterval   ReportInterval, reportAmount   ENUMERATED {r1, r2, r4, r8, r16, r32, r64, infinity}, reportQuantityCell    MeasReportQuantity,  maxReportCells    INTEGER(1..maxCellReport),  reportQuantityRS-Indexes    MeasReportQuantity OPTIONAL, -- Need R  maxNrofRS-IndexesToReport   INTEGER(1..maxNrofIndexesToReport)   OPTIONAL, -- Need R includeBeamMeasurements    BOOLEAN,  useWhiteCellList   BOOLEAN,  ... }NR-RS-Type ::=   ENUMERATED {ssb, csi-rs} MeasTriggerQuantity ::=   CHOICE {  rsrp  RSRP-Range,  rsrq  RSRQ-Range,  sinr  SINR-Range }MeasTriggerQuantityOffset ::=    CHOICE {  rsrp  INTEGER (−30..30), rsrq  INTEGER (−30..30),  sinr  INTEGER (−30..30) } MeasReportQuantity::=    SEQUENCE {  rsrp  BOOLEAN,  rsrq  BOOLEAN,  sinr  BOOLEAN } --TAG-REPORTCONFIGNR-STOP -- ASN1STOP

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID is included in the (measurement) report configuration,the UE may execute the CHO command (e.g., indicated by the CHO commandID), and may not report the measurement results to the BS. In some otherimplementations, the UE may report measurement results to the BS if theUE executes the CHO command. In some other implementations, if the UEexecutes the CHO command, the UE may determine whether to report themeasurement results to the BS based on NW instructions or configurations(e.g., based on the reporting indicator).

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID is included in the (measurement) report configuration,the UE may report measurement results to the BS, and may not execute theCHO command. In some other implementations, if the UE reports themeasurement results to the BS, the UE may execute the CHO command. Insome other implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results tothe BS, the UE may determine whether to execute the CHO command based onthe NW instructions or configurations (e.g., the CHO executionindicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID is included in the (measurement) report configuration,the UE may release the CHO command, and may not report the measurementresults to the BS. In some other implementations, if the UE releases theCHO command, the UE may report the measurement results to the BS. Insome other implementations, if the UE releases the CHO command, the UEmay determine whether to report the corresponding measurement resultsbased on the NW instructions or configurations (e.g., based on whetherthe IE reportOnLeave is set or not, and/or based on the reportingindicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if aCHO command ID is included in the (measurement) report configuration,the UE may report the measurement results to the BS and may not releasethe CHO command. In some other implementations, the UE may release theCHO command if the UE reports the measurement results to the BS. In someother implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results to theBS, the UE may determine whether to release the CHO command based on theNW instructions or configurations (e.g., the CHO release indicator).

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if theassociated report configuration (or the corresponding reportconfiguration ID) of the measurement ID is included in a CHO command,the UE may execute the CHO command (e.g., indicated by the CHO commandID), and may not report the measurement results to the BS. In some otherimplementations, the UE may report measurement results to the BS if theUE executes the CHO command. In some other implementations, if the UEexecutes the CHO command, the UE may determine whether to report themeasurement results to the BS based on the NW instructions orconfigurations (e.g., based on the reporting indicator).

In some implementations, when a trigger condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if theassociated report configuration (or the corresponding reportconfiguration ID) of the measurement ID is included in a CHO command,the UE may report measurement results to the BS, and may not execute theCHO command. In some other implementations, if the UE reports themeasurement results to the BS, the UE may execute the CHO command. Insome other implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results tothe BS, the UE may determine whether to execute the CHO command based onthe NW instructions or configurations (e.g., the CHO executionindicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if theassociated report configuration (or the corresponding reportconfiguration ID) of the measurement ID is included in a CHO command,the UE may release the CHO command, and may not report the measurementresults to the BS. In some other implementations, if the UE releases theCHO command, the UE may report the measurement results to the BS. Insome other implementations, if the UE releases the CHO command, the UEmay determine whether to report the corresponding measurement resultsbased on the NW instructions or configurations (e.g., based on whetherthe IE reportOnLeave is set or not, and/or based on the reportingindicator).

In some implementations, when a leaving condition of a reportconfiguration associated with a measurement ID is fulfilled, and if theassociated report configuration (or the corresponding reportconfiguration ID) of the measurement ID is included in a CHO command,the UE may report the measurement results to the BS and may not releasethe CHO command. In some other implementations, the UE may release theCHO command if the UE reports the measurement results to the BS. In someother implementations, if the UE reports the measurement results to theBS, the UE may determine whether to release the CHO command based on theNW instructions or configurations (e.g., the CHO release indicator).

In some implementations, at least one of the CHO command, themeasurement configuration, the measurement object, or the (measurement)report configuration may be modified or removed by the BS. For example,if a CHO command is removed by the BS or by the UE autonomously, themeasurement configuration/measurement ID/measurement object/reportconfiguration associated with the CHO command may need to be updated orremoved accordingly to avoid unnecessary measurements by the UE.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when a CHO command isremoved by the NW, the measurement configuration associated with the CHOcommand may be modified by the NW accordingly. For example, when a CHOcommand is removed, there may be no CHO command ID of the CHO command inany measurement configuration.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when a measurement IDis removed, the CHO command associated with the measurement ID may bemodified accordingly. For example, when a measurement ID is removed, themeasurement ID may not be included in any CHO command.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when a CHO command isremoved, the measurement object associated with the CHO command may bemodified accordingly. For example, when a CHO command is removed, theremay be no CHO command ID of the CHO command in any measurement objectconfiguration.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when a measurementobject ID is removed, the CHO command associated with the measurementobject ID may be modified accordingly. For example, when a measurementobject ID is removed, the measurement object ID may not be included inany CHO command.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when a CHO command isremoved, the measurement report configuration associated with the CHOcommand may be modified accordingly. For example, when a CHO command isremoved, there may be no CHO command ID of the CHO command in anymeasurement report configuration.

In some implementations, the NW may guarantee that when an objectconfiguration ID is removed, the CHO command associated with the objectconfiguration ID may be modified accordingly. For example, when a reportconfiguration ID is removed, the report configuration ID may not beincluded in any CHO command.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a measurementconfiguration associated with a CHO command when the CHO command isremoved.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a CHO commandassociated with a measurement configuration if the measurementconfiguration is removed.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a measurementobject associated with a CHO command when the CHO command is removed.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a CHO commandassociated with a measurement object if the measurement object isremoved.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a measurementreport configuration associated with a CHO command when the CHO commandis removed.

In some implementations, the UE may autonomously remove a CHO commandassociated with a measurement report configuration if the measurementreport configuration is removed.

As disclosed below, methods to deal with the collision and/or failure ofCHO execution are provided in some implementations of the presentdisclosure.

In some implementations, a UE may determine whether to invalidate orrelease a CHO command and/or a radio resource associated with the CHOcommand based on a leaving condition. For example, when the UE findsthat the leaving condition is fulfilled (e.g., the target cell signalquality is below a predefined threshold within a time period), the UEmay consider that the corresponding CHO command is invalid, and the UEmay release radio resources associated with the CHO command accordingly.In some implementations, if the trigger condition of one CHO command isfulfilled, other CHO commands stored at the UE may be considered to beinvalid. If the CHO command is considered to be invalid, the UE may notevaluate whether the trigger condition(s) and/or leaving condition(s)associated with this CHO command is fulfilled or not. In someimplementations, if the trigger condition of a CHO command is fulfilled,other stored CHO commands may be released.

In some implementations, if the leaving condition of the CHO command isfulfilled or a timer related to a CHO command expires, the CHO commandmay become invalid and may be released by the UE. In some otherimplementations, if the leaving condition of the CHO command isfulfilled or a timer related to a CHO command expires, the CHO commandmay become invalid but not be released by the UE. For example, when aCHO command becomes invalid, the UE may still store this CHO command,but the UE may not evaluate the trigger condition(s) and/or leavingcondition(s) associated with this CHO command. In some implementations,when a CHO command becomes invalid, the UE may still store the CHOcommand, but the UE may not use the resource allocation/configuration ofthe CHO command. In some implementations, an invalid CHO command maybecome active again if the source BS reconfigures this CHO command(e.g., by assigning new random access (RA) resources for this CHOcommand) or activates this CHO command again (e.g., by transmitting anRRC message or a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) to theUE).

In some implementations, a timer may be included in a CHO command toindicate a time period during which a corresponding CHO command remainsvalid. If the timer is included in the CHO command, the UE may considerthe CHO command to be valid until the timer expires. The timer may startwhen the UE receives the corresponding CHO command. In someimplementations, the timer and the leaving condition may coexist. Forexample, if the leaving condition of a CHO command is fulfilled but thetimer is still running, the CHO command may be considered to be invalidand released. Each CHO command may be associated with a specific timer,and the timers in the CHO commands may be running independently. If aCHO command does not include a timer or the value of the timer is set toinfinite, the CHO command may always be valid until the handoverprocedure is performed (e.g., the CHO command may be released after thehandover procedure).

In some implementations, each target cell indicated by a CHO command maybe configured with a specific timer. For example, if a CHO commandindicates two target cells (e.g., cell #1 and cell #2), two timers(e.g., life timer T1 and life timer T2) may be included in the CHOcommand to respectively indicate the time periods during which cell #1and cell #2 are valid. If the timer for a target cell indicated by a CHOcommand is present, the UE may consider this target cell to be validuntil the timer expires. If the target cell is considered to be valid,the UE may choose to connect to the target cell if an associated triggercondition is fulfilled. In some implementations, the CHO command may bereleased if all the indicated target cell(s) are considered to beinvalid (e.g., the life timer of each target cell expires).

In some implementations, for a CHO command including a timer, if the CHOcommand is not successfully executed, the timer may restart. In someimplementation, if the timer in the CHO command restarts due to anexecution failure of the CHO command, the UE may report the executionfailure to the NW. In some implementations, for a CHO command includinga timer, if the CHO command is not successfully executed, the timer maybe shortened. In such a case, the timer may be shortened based on NWconfigurations and/or pre-defined rules. For example, the UE may selecta random value from a pre-defined/pre-configured range and shorten thetimer based on the selected random value. If the timer is shortened to 0or a negative value, the associated CHO command may be considered to beinvalid.

In some implementations, for a target cell of a CHO command including atimer, if the UE does not execute the CHO command successfully toconnect to the target cell, the timer included in the CHO command mayrestart or be shortened (e.g., based on NW configurations and/orpre-defined rules).

1. Handling the Collision of a Triggered CHO Command and the Instructionfrom Base Station to Remove the Triggered CHO Command

Approach 1-1

In some implementations, when a UE executes a CHO command (e.g., when atriggering condition of the CHO command is fulfilled), the BS maytransmit a removal command (or a reconfiguration message) to remove thisCHO command (e.g., due to the heavy load of the target cell of the CHOcommand) and the UE may ignore/suspend the removal command (or thereconfiguration message) if the UE receives the command (or thereconfiguration message) from the BS. That is, the UE may continue theexecution of the CHO command regardless of the reception of the removalcommand (or reconfiguration message) from the BS. In someimplementations, in a case that the UE ignores/suspends the removalcommand (or the reconfiguration message), the UE may release all thestored CHO commands if the CHO command is successfully executed. In someimplementations, the source BS may receive a notification message from anew target BS, so that the source BS may realize that the previousremoval command may be ignored/suspended or is not received by the UE.In some implementations, in a case that the UE ignores/suspends theremoval command (or the reconfiguration message), the CHO command may beremoved by the UE if the CHO command is not successfully executed. Insome implementations, in a case that the UE ignores/suspends the removalcommand (or the reconfiguration message), the UE may release all thestored CHO commands if the CHO command is not successfully executed anda reestablishment procedure is triggered.

In some implementations, the removal command (or reconfigurationmessage) may be used to remove a target cell indicated in a CHO command(e.g., due to the heavy load of the target cell of the CHO command). Forexample, when a UE executes a CHO command to connect to a target cell(e.g., when a trigger condition of the CHO command is fulfilled), the BSmay transmit a removal command (or the reconfiguration message) the UEto remove this target cell of this CHO command (e.g., due to the heavyload of the target cell of the CHO command). In some implementations,the UE may ignore/suspend a removal command (or reconfiguration message)after the UE receives the removal command (or the reconfigurationmessage). In some implementations, in a case that the UEignores/suspends the removal command (or a reconfiguration message), theUE may release all the stored CHO commands if the CHO command for thetarget cell is successfully executed. In some implementations, thesource BS may receive a notification message from a new target BS sothat the source BS may realize that the previous removal command may beignored/suspended or is not received by the UE. In some implementations,in a case that the UE ignores/suspends the removal command (or thereconfiguration message) that instructs the UE to remove a target cellindicated in the CHO command, the indicated target cell may still beremoved by the UE if the CHO command is not successfully executed. Insome implementations, in a case that the UE ignores/suspends the removalcommand (or reconfiguration message) that instructs the UE to remove atarget cell indicated in the CHO command, the UE may release all thestored CHO commands if the CHO command is not successfully executed anda reestablishment procedure is triggered.

Approach 1-2

In some implementations, when a UE executes a CHO command (e.g., when atrigger condition of the CHO command is fulfilled), the BS may transmita removal command (or a reconfiguration message) to remove this CHOcommand (e.g., due to the heavy load of the target cell of the CHOcommand) and the UE may terminate/suspend an ongoing CHO procedure uponthe reception of the removal command (or reconfiguration message). Insome implementations, in a case that the UE terminates/suspends anongoing CHO procedure according to a removal command (or areconfiguration message) that instructs the UE to remove a CHO command,the UE may inform the source BS (and/or the target BS) that the CHOcommand has been triggered before the removal command (orreconfiguration message) is received and the associated CHO procedure isterminated/suspended. In some implementations, in a case that the UEsuspends an ongoing CHO procedure according to the removal command (orreconfiguration message), the UE may inform the source BS that the CHOcommand has been triggered before the removal command (orreconfiguration message) is received and may wait for a further commandfrom the BS to determine whether to terminate the ongoing CHO procedure.For example, the UE may not immediately remove the CHO command but maywait for the further command from the BS to determine whether toterminate the ongoing CHO procedure. If the further command instructsthe UE to terminate the ongoing CHO procedure, the associated CHOcommand may be removed. Conversely, if the further command instructs theUE not to terminate the ongoing CHO procedure, the UE may not remove theassociated CHO command.

In some implementations, when a UE executes a CHO command to connect toa target cell (e.g., when a trigger condition of the CHO command isfulfilled), the BS may transmit a removal command (or a reconfigurationmessage) to remove the target cell of this CHO command (e.g., due to theheavy load of the target cell of the CHO command). The UE mayterminate/suspend the ongoing CHO procedure when receiving the removalcommand (or reconfiguration message) from the BS. In someimplementations, in a case that the UE terminates/suspends the ongoingCHO procedure according to the removal command (or the reconfigurationmessage), the UE may inform the source BS (and/or the target BS) thatthe CHO command has been triggered before the removal command (orreconfiguration message) is received and the associated CHO procedure isterminated/suspended. In some implementations, in a case that the UEterminates/suspends the ongoing CHO procedure according to the removalcommand (or the reconfiguration message), the UE may inform the sourceBS (and/or the target BS) that the CHO command has been triggered beforethe removal command (or reconfiguration message) is received and maywait for a further command from the BS to determine whether to terminatethe ongoing CHO procedure. For example, the UE may not immediatelyremove the target cell of the CHO command but may wait for the furthercommand from the BS to determine whether to terminate the ongoing CHOprocedure. If the further command instructs the UE to terminate theongoing CHO procedure, the target cell of the associated CHO command maybe removed. If the further command instructs the UE not to terminate theongoing CHO procedure, then the associated CHO command may not beremoved.

Approach 1-3

In some implementations, when a UE executes a CHO command (e.g., when atrigger condition of the CHO command is fulfilled), the BS may transmita removal command (or a reconfiguration message) to remove this CHOcommand (or to remove the target cell of this CHO command) and it may beup to UE implementation to decide whether to ignore/suspend the removalcommand (or the reconfiguration message) if the UE receives the removalcommand (or the reconfiguration message) from the BS. For example, in acase that the UE decides to ignore/suspend the removal command (or thereconfiguration message), the UE may take actions/operations indescribed in Approach #1-1. In a case that the UE decides not toignore/suspend the removal command (or the reconfiguration message), theUE may take actions/operations described in Approach #1-2.

Approach 1-4

In some implementations, if a UE does not receive an NW confirmation forexecuting a CHO command (e.g., not receiving an acknowledge of executinga CHO command from the source BS), the UE may not be allowed to executethe CHO command even if the associated trigger condition of the CHOcommand is fulfilled. In some implementations, when a trigger conditionof a CHO command is fulfilled, the UE may send a CHO command executionrequest to the source BS and start a timer T3. If the UE does notreceive any response (e.g., acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment)from the source BS until the timer T3 expires, the UE may execute theCHO command if the associated trigger condition is still fulfilled. Insome implementations, if the UE receives a response (e.g.,acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment) from the BS when the timer T3is running, the timer T3 may stop.

2. Handling a CHO Command in Failure Cases

In some implementations, the UE may report CHO failure information tothe BS in a Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) report (e.g., an immediateMDT Report), as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a CHO procedure,according to an implementation of the present disclosure. In action 602,a UE may detect that execution of the CHO command has failed. In action604, the UE may transmit CHO failure information in an MDT report whenthe execution of the CHO command has failed.

In some implementations, the CHO failure information in the MDT reportmay include at least one of the following: an ID of a failed CHOcommand, a configuration related to the failed CHO command (e.g., atarget cell configuration), a cause value indicating a CHO failureevent, an ID of a failed target cell, an ID of a failed target BS, or alatest measurement result.

In some implementations, the CHO failure information may include atleast one of the following: the ID of a failed CHO command, theconfiguration related to the failed CHO command, the cause of CHOfailure, the failed target cell ID, the failed target BS ID, or thelatest measurement results. In some implementations, the CHO failureinformation may include more than one ID of a failed CHO command. Insome implementations, the CHO failure information may include more thanone failed target cell ID. In some implementations, once the CHO failureinformation has been reported to the BS, the UE may release this CHOfailure information.

Approach 2-1

In some implementations, a UE may release a triggered CHO command (e.g.,a trigger condition of a target cell included in the CHO command isfulfilled) if the triggered CHO command cannot be successfully executed(e.g., random access to connect the target cell fails or CHO procedurefails due to the expiration of a CHO timer). For example, if the UE isallowed to try to access another cell which satisfies an associatedtrigger condition without the need to initiate an RRC reestablishmentprocedure, the UE may not have the second chance to re-execute the CHOcommand which is not successfully executed. If there is no other targetcell for which an associated trigger condition is fulfilled, the UE mayinitiate the RRC reestablishment procedure.

Approach 2-2

In some other implementations, a UE may not release a triggered CHOcommand even if the triggered CHO command cannot be successfullyexecuted. For example, if the UE is allowed to try to access anothercell which satisfies an associated trigger condition without the need toinitiate an RRC reestablishment procedure, the UE may have the chance tore-execute the CHO command which is not successfully executed. If thereis no other target cell for which an associated trigger condition isfulfilled, the UE may initiate the RRC reestablishment procedure.

Approach 2-3

In some implementations, a UE may determine whether to release atriggered CHO command based on NW configurations, if the CHO commandcannot be successfully executed. For example, the NW (or the BS) mayconfigure the UE to keep/release a CHO command when the CHO commandfails to be successfully executed. In some implementations, if thenumber of failed executions of a CHO command exceeds a threshold, the UEmay release the CHO command. The threshold may be pre-defined orpre-configured by the NW (e.g., via dedicated signaling or systeminformation broadcast by the NW).

Approach 2-4

In some implementations, if a reestablishment procedure is performed bya UE, the UE may release all the stored CHO commands. For example, if aCHO command is not successfully executed and the re-establishmentprocedure is performed by the UE, the UE may release all the stored CHOcommands. In some implementations, if the UE performs a reestablishmentprocedure for a target cell that is indicated in a CHO command, the UEmay keep the stored CHO command (for the target cell).

3. Handling the Collision of a Triggered CHO Command and the AssociatedRemoval Conditions

Approach 3-1

In some implementations, a UE may start a timer when receiving a CHOcommand including the timer. The UE may stop the timer when the CHOcommand is executed (e.g., because an associated trigger condition ofthis CHO command is fulfilled). In such a case, if the CHO command isnot successfully executed, the UE may release the CHO command, restartthe timer, remove the target cell in the CHO command, or restart thetimer of the target cell.

Approach 3-2

In some implementations, a UE may start a timer when receiving a CHOcommand including the timer. If the CHO command is executed (and thecorresponding CHO procedure is still ongoing) and the timer expires, theUE may not release the CHO command immediately. In such a case, if theCHO command is not successfully executed, the UE may release the CHOcommand.

In some implementations, when receiving a CHO command including a timerfor a target cell, the UE may start the timer. If the UE executes theCHO command to connect to the target cell (and the corresponding CHOprocedure is still ongoing) and the timer of the target cell expires,the UE may not release the CHO command immediately. In such a case, ifthe UE does not successfully execute the CHO command to connect to thetarget cell, the UE may remove the target cell in the CHO command.

Approach 3-3

In some implementations, a UE may not release a CHO command if theleaving condition included in the CHO command is fulfilled and the CHOcommand is executed (and the corresponding CHO procedure is stillongoing). In some implementations, the UE may not perform measurementsfor a leaving condition of a CHO command when the CHO command isexecuted and the corresponding CHO procedure is still ongoing. The UEmay resume the measurements for the leaving condition of the CHO commandif the CHO command is not executed and is still valid. In someimplementations, the UE may ignore the triggering of a leaving conditionof a CHO command that is executed. The leaving condition may bere-triggered by the UE when the CHO command is not executed and is stillvalid.

Approach 3-4

In some implementations, a UE may release a CHO command if the leavingcondition included in the CHO command is fulfilled, the CHO command isexecuted, and the corresponding CHO procedure is still ongoing. In sucha case, the corresponding CHO procedure may be terminated by the UE.

4. Handling Multiple Target Cells Associated with the Same CHO Commandwhen the Associated Trigger Conditions are Fulfilled Simultaneously

Approach 4-1

In some implementations, the target cell indicated in a CHO command maybe configured with a cell priority. An example TP of the CHO command isas shown in Table 9. The IE choCommandId may be referred to as a CHOcommand ID that is associated with a CHO command. The IEtargetCelltoAddModList may be referred to as a list of target cells tobe added and/or modified in a CHO command. The IE targetCelltoRemoveListmay be referred to as a list of target cells to be removed from a CHOcommand. The IE maxNrofTargetcell may be referred to as the maximumnumber of target cells indicated in a CHO command. The IE targetCellIdmay be used to identify a cell within a Public Land Mobile Network(PLMN) or a specific area. The IE objectId may be used to identify atarget cell in the IE TargetCelltoAddModList.

TABLE 9 CHOCommand ::= SEQUENCE {  choCommandId ChoCommandId, choreconfigurationWithSync      ChoReconfigurationWithSync, targetCelltoAddModList    TargetCelltoAddModList, targetCelltoRemoveList   TargetCelltoRemoveList, }TargetCelltoAddModList ::=    SEQUENCE (SIZE    (1..maxNrofTargetcell))   OF TargetCelltoAddMod TargetCelltoAddMod ::=   SEQUENCE {   objectId ObjectId,   targetCellId   TargetCellId,   cellPriority   CellPriority,} targetCelltoRemoveList ::=     SEQUENCE (SIZE     (1..maxNrofTargetcell))     OF ObjectId }

In some implementations, a target cell indicated in a CHO command may beassigned a default cell priority. In some implementations, a common cellpriority may be configured for all target cells in a CHO command. Insome implementations, the cell priority of a target cell may be providedin a measurement configuration, a measurement object configuration, or ameasurement report configuration, each of which may be associated withthe CHO command (or the corresponding CHO command ID).

In some implementations, if multiple target cells indicated in one ormore CHO commands fulfill the associated trigger condition(s), the UEmay choose the target cell with the highest cell priority to connect towhen the CHO command for the target cell is executed. In some otherimplementations, if two or more target cells have the same highest cellpriority and the associated trigger condition(s) is fulfilled, the UEmay choose the target cell based on its own decision. For example, ifmultiple NR cells are triggered in the CHO execution, the UE maydetermine which NR cell to select based on UE implementation. Forexample, the UE may consider the beams and/or the beam quality to selectone of the triggered NR cells for the CHO execution. In someimplementations, when a trigger condition of a CHO command is fulfilledand there are multiple target cells indicated in the CHO command, the UEmay perform a target cell selection procedure in which the UE may selectone of the target cells and execute the CHO command to connect to theselected target cell. In some implementations, the target cell selectionprocedure may be performed by the UE based on a given cell priority ofeach candidate target cell indicated in the CHO command. In someimplementations, the target cell selection procedure may be performedbased on a frequency priority. The UE may receive the frequency priorityfrom dedicated signaling or system information. In some implementations,the target cell selection procedure may be performed based on cellloading information or other information from the NW or collected by theUE. In some implementations, S-criterion (e.g., for cell selection)and/or R-criteria (e.g., for cell reselection) may be applied to the CHOtarget cell selection.

Approach 4-2

In some implementations, if multiple target cells indicated in one ormore CHO commands fulfill the associated trigger condition(s), the UEmay choose the target cell with the highest cell priority to connect towhen the CHO command of the target cell is executed. If there are morethan one target cell with the same highest cell priority and theassociated trigger condition(s) is fulfilled, the UE may choose thetarget cell with the highest signal quality to connect.

In some implementations, an example TP of the CHO command is shown inTable 10.

TABLE 10 -- ASN1START -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-START ChoCommand ::=SEQUENCE {  choCommandID  ChoCommandID,  measId  MeasId, targetCellConfiguration  OCTET STRING  (CONTAINING  RRCReconfiguration)} -- TAG-MEASIDTOADDMODLIST-STOP -- ASN1STOP

As shown in Table 10, a CHO command (or the corresponding CHO commandconfiguration, or the conditional reconfiguration IE) (e.g., ChoCommand)may include a CHO command ID (e.g., ChoCommandID) and a measurement ID(e.g., MeasId) associated with the CHO command ID. In someimplementations, the CHO command may include a container that contains atarget cell configuration (e.g., targetCellConfiguration) to carryinformation about the target cell identifier(s), or the radio parametersrelevant to the target RAT (or the target base station, or the targetcell).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a node for wirelesscommunication, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, a node 700 may include a transceiver720, a processor 728, a memory 734, one or more presentation components738, and at least one antenna 736. The node 700 may also include a RadioFrequency (RF) spectrum band module, a BS communications module, anetwork communications module, and a system communications managementmodule, Input/Output (I/O) ports, I/O components, and power supply (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 7). Each of these components may be incommunication with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or morebuses 740. In one implementation, the node 700 may be a UE, a BS, or anyother apparatus of wireless communications that performs variousfunctions described herein, for example, with reference to FIGS. 1through 6.

The transceiver 720 having a transmitter 722 (e.g.,transmitting/transmission circuitry) and a receiver 724 (e.g.,receiving/reception circuitry) may be configured to transmit and/orreceive time and/or frequency resource partitioning information. In someimplementations, the transceiver 720 may be configured to transmit indifferent types of subframes and slots including, but are not limitedto, usable, non-usable and flexibly usable subframes and slot formats.The transceiver 720 may be configured to receive data and controlchannels.

The node 700 may include a variety of computer-readable media.Computer-readable media may be any available media that may be accessedby the node 700 and include both volatile and non-volatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media include both volatileand non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules ordata.

Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices. Computer storage media do notcomprise a propagated data signal. Communication media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

The memory 734 may include computer-storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory 734 may be removable,non-removable, or a combination thereof. Examples of memory includessolid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the memory 734 may store computer-readable,computer-executable instructions 732 (e.g., software codes) that areconfigured to, when executed, cause the processor 728 to perform variousfunctions described herein, for example, with reference to FIGS. 1through 6. Alternatively, the instructions 732 may not be directlyexecutable by the processor 728 but be configured to cause the node 700(e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform various functionsdescribed herein.

The processor 728 (e.g., having processing circuitry) may include aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, anintelligent hardware device, or any combination thereof configured toperform the functions described herein. The processor 728 may includememory. The processor 728 may process the data 730 and the instructions732 received from the memory 734, and information through thetransceiver 720, the baseband communications module, and/or the networkcommunications module. The processor 728 may also process information tobe sent to the transceiver 720 for transmission through the antenna 736,to the network communications module for transmission to a core network.

One or more presentation components 738 may present data to a person orother devices. Examples of presentation components 738 may include adisplay device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc.

From the above description, it is manifested that various techniques maybe used for implementing the concepts described in the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover,while the concepts have been described with specific reference tocertain implementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departingfrom the scope of those concepts. As such, the described implementationsare to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. It should also be understood that the present disclosure isnot limited to the particular implementations described above, but manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a Base Station (BS) for performing aConditional Handover (CHO) procedure, the method comprising:transmitting a CHO command to a User Equipment (UE), the CHO commandcomprising a CHO command identity (ID) and a measurement ID associatedwith the CHO command ID; causing the UE to execute the CHO command tohandover to a target BS when a trigger condition associated with themeasurement ID is fulfilled; causing the UE to forgo transmitting themeasurement report during the execution of the CHO command despite theUE being configured, via a report configuration associated with themeasurement ID, to transmit the measurement report; transmitting, to theUE, a message that causes the UE to remove the CHO command; and aftertransmitting the message to the UE, determining that the reportconfiguration is removed by the UE without transmitting, to the UE, aninstruction to remove the report configuration.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the message is included in a Radio Resource Control (RRC)message.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting acell-level Reference Signal (RS) or a beam-level RS to the UE to let theUE determine whether the trigger condition is fulfilled.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the cell-level RS comprises a Synchronization SignalBlock (SSB) and the beam-level RS comprises a Channel StateInformation-Reference Signal (CSI-RS).
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving CHO failure information in a Minimization of DriveTests (MDT) report from the UE in a case that the execution of the CHOcommand fails.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the CHO failureinformation in the MDT report includes at least one of: an ID of afailed CHO command, a configuration related to the failed CHO command, acause value indicating a CHO failure event, an ID of a failed targetcell, an ID of a failed target BS, or a latest measurement result. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a Radio ResourceControl (RRC) re-establishment procedure with the UE; and determiningthat all CHO commands stored at the UE are removed by the UE whenperforming the RRC re-establishment procedure.
 8. A Base Station (BS)for performing a Conditional Handover (CHO) procedure, the BScomprising: transmission and reception circuitry; and at least oneprocessor coupled to the transmission and reception circuitry andconfigured to: transmit, by the transmission and reception circuitry, aCHO command to a User Equipment (UE), the CHO command comprising a CHOcommand identity (ID) and a measurement ID associated with the CHOcommand ID; cause the UE to execute the CHO command to handover to atarget BS when a trigger condition associated with the measurement ID isfulfilled; cause the UE to forgo transmitting the measurement reportduring the execution of the CHO command despite the UE being configured,via a report configuration associated with the measurement ID, totransmit the measurement report; transmit, by the transmission andreception circuitry, to the UE, a message that causes the UE to removethe CHO command; and after transmitting the message to the UE, determinethat the report configuration is removed by the UE without transmitting,to the UE, an instruction to remove the report configuration.
 9. The BSof claim 8, wherein the message is included in a Radio Resource Control(RRC) message.
 10. The BS of claim 8, wherein the at least one processoris further configured to: transmit, by the transmission and receptioncircuitry, a cell-level Reference Signal (RS) or a beam-level RS to theUE to let the UE determine whether the trigger condition is fulfilled.11. The BS of claim 10, wherein the cell-level RS comprises aSynchronization Signal Block (SSB) and the beam-level RS comprises aChannel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS).
 12. The BS of claim8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive,by the transmission and reception circuitry, CHO failure information ina Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) report from the UE in a case thatthe execution of the CHO command fails.
 13. The BS of claim 12, whereinthe CHO failure information in the MDT report includes at least one of:an ID of a failed CHO command, a configuration related to the failed CHOcommand, a cause value indicating a CHO failure event, an ID of a failedtarget cell, an ID of a failed target BS, or a latest measurementresult.
 14. The BS of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to: perform a Radio Resource Control (RRC)re-establishment procedure with the UE; and determine that all CHOcommands stored at the UE are removed by the UE when performing the RRCre-establishment procedure.